NAACP 'Saddened' by Loss of First and Only Black-Owned Restaurant in Grosse Pointe

The Grosse Pointes-Harper Woods NAACP Branch issues a statement Monday saying it is  "saddened by the loss of the first and only black owned restaurant in the five Grosse Pointes over the weekend."

Fire wrecked Rockefellers Oyster Bar and Grill at 15402 Mack Ave. in Grosse Pointe Park around 5:30 a.m. Sunday

The popular seafood restaurant was the original meeting place for people seeking to organize and sign up for the Grosse Pointes-Harper Woods NAACP Branch last year, the group says.

"There are so few minority owned businesses in the five Grosse Pointes that this blow is particularly hurtful to our small business community,” says Greg Bowens, president of the Grosse Pointes-Harper Woods NAACP Branch.

“We are grateful for the service and support Jai-Lee Dearing and his family has given our community and our new branch for the last three years. We remain hopeful that the Dearing family will be able to rebuild in the Pointes. A diverse restaurant scene creates a robust economy for everyone.”

The fire generated media covetrage, partly more because the building was once owned by convicted killer Bob Bashara, who had his sex dungeon in the basement.